22 June 2019 (gig)
23 June 2019
After a hiatus of nearly 8 years, Westlife have returned. With their new Ed Sheeran co-written music already dominating the radiowaves, the demand for their tour has proved so phenomenal that they are resident at Birmingham Arena for three sold out shows. With the nostalgia trail running to fever point following the Spice Girls tour earlier this month, can Westlife return with an equal blaze of glory?
Before they could take centre stage, 15 year old Nashville based rising pop star Keelie Walker delivered a strong opening set. A cross between Candy-era Mandy Moore and Jess Glynne's dancier cuts, the young talent has a lot of potential. While the material doesn't quite hit the unforgettable terrain, it is clear that she is an act who will explode on the international market as soon as she stumbles across the right song.
Windsor sibling trio The Rua married early Taylor Swift with mid-period The Corr's and just a touch of Red Sky July to have the audience eating out of their palms. With their current single, Gasoline, proving the surprising low-point of a truly stunning set, it was when the trio dropped the backing track on the sensational Stand Out that they got everyone feeling all tingly. Give them a year and they will be deservedly selling out headline shows.
Arriving on stage performing recent hit single Hello My Love, Westlife's cross-generational audience launch immediately onto their feet to join in a hearty sing along. The boys have aged graciously and their voices are stronger than ever. It is immediately apparent that this is a well-staged, cleverly thought out journey through 20 years of pop heaven.
Boasting a very polished and emotionally charged Queen medley, the quartet prove that they should have been the boyband to partner up with Queen for We Will Rock You at the Brits back in 2000.
However, it was the journey through their classic hits that was naturally rewarded by the warmest response. From a truly celebratory delivery of Swear It Again to a heart-rending performance of You Raise Me Up, the show may have skipped the audience requested Bop Bop Baby, but it definitely hit all the right notes.
Closing with the still poignant Flying Without Wings and anthemic World Of Our Own, Westlife shone from start to finish. A truly unforgettable night delivered by a band who are clearly loving being back as much as the audience is enjoying their return.
